Simple Truths About Shay Mitchell

She works out in pink boxing gloves, worships what she calls Sophia Loren's "ba-boom!" curves and unapologetically drinks $2.99 bottles of wine. And when the super fit actress, 26, isn't playing gutsy Emily on PLL, she's dishing out advice and inspiration on Twitter, Tumblr and Instagram (home to these pics). If you're not a "Mitchie" yet, you will be one after reading this.

Shay-isms to Live By

First, create a vision of the life you want. Then share it—and your wisdom—to get started.

Be happy being you. "Having been a model and knowing what goes down at photo shoots, I feel a lot more comfortable with myself now. When I was 17 and modeling in Hong Kong, a lot of my roommates were unhealthy—laxative teas were big—and I had my problems, too. I'd starve myself for a day, and the next day I was hungry, tired and miserable. When I felt so bad about not being able to fit into size 0 jeans, I realized I had to make a change. Being beautiful doesn't mean being skinny. It's about being healthy."

Live Your Dreams

"When I was living in Toronto and going to my bottle service [waitress] job, I walked down the street as if I were the actor I wanted to be. Back then, my vision board had a Hollywood sign and palm trees on it. I knew this was going to happen. It's important to wake up every day and remind yourself what you're working toward. You create your own life. It's not set out there for you."

By All Means, Eat!

"I live thinking, 'If today's my last day, what's gonna make me happiest?' And I do those things. I want to try different foods and enjoy myself, not starve myself to reach a number on the scale. My usuals: for breakfast, an egg-white omelet with spinach and mushrooms; for lunch, a salad with fish or chicken; and for dinner, veggie soup. Oh, and I love potato chips!"

"I can't say no to pizza! I'll 100 percent eat a whole pie by myself. If I do, I just move on. No guilt."

Help Out Your Friends

"Women should never compete with each other. We need to take away the jealousy, ego and all that. My costars and I are really close—it's a nice sisterhood. Anytime they see a script that reminds them of me, they'll be like, 'You should go out for this part.' It's always a total girl who kicks ass. My ultimate role would be a Bond girl. I love the action and the girl who does it in heels!"

Clockwise from top right: Mitchell and Michaela; with PLL costars Ashley Benson (left) and Troian Bellisario; with Benson.